February Music Roundup
Another month of exploration.
Added to the Damnation Festival line-up this month, so thought I'd give them a go. Phil described them as a more "fun" Meshugghah. I can see what he means - it's a bit more experimental and allows a bit more melody to break through. I will probably check them out live - it's decent music - but it's not something that drew me in fully. Similar to Meshuggah too in that at some point the extremity of their sound just ends up being a bit annoying at times.
Now then. Also added to Damnation Festival's line up and another new group to me and oh boy, these guys are good. I can see that I'm going to have a deep dive into their back catalogue. It's in a similar style (and league) as Deafheaven - playing around in and pushing the limits of blackgaze with some major-key sounding parts that surprise and deliver. A decent mix of the styles sprinkled with clean vocal sections that reminds me a bit of Junius too.
In Perfect Stillness by Domhain
Very early contender for album of the year here. This is an astonishing record. The whole thing reaks of a grand vision and it's a magnificent experience listening to them achieve it. The vocal harmonies take a supremely realised sound to the next level as the whole record swells and bursts in unexpected yet coherent ways. There's confidence in the scope and delivery of this from end to end and I genuinely love it. I think I found these guys through an Instagram advert.
Black metal pioneers back with another record. I've not got a lot of experience with their back catalogue - I've spent more time with their peers Emperor so far. Whilst they obviously share a genre, I probably couldn't put too much light between the two bands overall. It's that relentless energy mixed with the slightly eyebrow-raising theatrical indulgence that sets the style apart. I think I need a few more listens of this one to get a full appreciation of it, but fair to say this is a fun record that's worth your time.
I have an odd relationship with Puscifer. They're responsible for one of my absolutely favourite gigs ever in Chicago in 2015 in support of their magnificent Money Shot album. But then they're also puerile to the point of distraction on other records that makes me grit my teeth and wince a bit. At their very best they're being snarky, sarcastic, and politically-astute. At their worst they're saying "farts, boobies, buttcracks" over and over like a toddler getting to grips with words to wind up their parents. The first track, Thrust, is amazing. Almost paint-by-numbers Puscifer as my mate Marc put it, but on-point nonetheless with its snarkiness and execution. But then Bad Wolf just annoys me with its Edge Lord Atheism ("Plea to the void, to the gods that I don’t believe in
I now believe that we live in a simulation") and this only worsens in the next track (Self Evident), from which I won't even bother quoting any lyrics. I keep going back to it because I want to like it. The music is textbook Puscifer and Carina Round's vocals are excellent as usual. I'm just left wondering whether Maynard is the problem here?
Swallowed Whole Through The Mouth of Eternity by Snakes of Russia
A bit different for me, discovered again through Instagram. This is electronica and seems to be paired with actual percussion to great effect. It's forboding and dramatic but a much more relaxing listen than I expected. It's the soundtrack to an epic adventure in your imagination - probably a decent record to fall asleep listening to!